Congratulations of the Chairman of Russia Muftis Council mufti sheikh Ravil Gaynutdin:

On behalf of Russia Muftis Council and Spiritual Administrations of Muslims of our whole country, I want to congratulate all my brothers and sisters in faith – Muslims of Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States – with the holiday of Uraza Bayram, which crowns the month of Ramadan, a blessed time of sincerity and return to spiritual harmony.

On these days, we pray and glorify our God, keeping in mind that these holy days were given to us not just for getting rest after uneventful workdays. We went through a month of spiritual purification, charitable deeds and pardon of sins. Fast is a time when man shows his mercy and compassion by giving help and support to those who need it.

In the days of Eid al-Fitr celebrations, I’m extremely happy for our community – community of Russian Muslims – and I am proud of you, dear brothers and sisters. Spiritual perfection, eagerness in self-improvement is jihad, as our Prophet (SAWS) said.

Self-improvement and fighting one’s flaws is never easy and requires patience. So does the observance of fast, for since the start of dawn and until the sunset we not only abstain from food but from drink too. That is why Ramadan is also called Month of Patience and Trial. It places on trial our tolerance, our spiritual strength, willpower and the strength of our faith.

Another trial is protecting our human dignity. Dignity of a Muslim, like dignity of every man, manifests itself in his thoughts and actions.

We celebrate this beautiful holiday devoted to the end of the month of Ramadan, during which hearts of all Muslims are filled with sincere faith and devotion. Muslims have fulfilled their obligation before Almighty Allah, and completed one of the Pillars of Islam, and now feel great joy because of it. They feel joy because they have passed the test of their faith and will.

The holy month of Ramadan has ended. It was a month during which we purified our bodies and souls, as Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) said. We spent a month in prayers and recitation of Qur’an, we’ve done charitable deeds, showing mercy and compassion to our kin. For a full month, we’ve lived and acted in a way to get the great reward of Allah – to get pardon for our sins and to become worthy of Paradise through our eagerness and devotion to God.

I pray to Allah, asking Him to accept our fast, forgive our sins, open us the gates of Paradise and close the gates of Hell. I ask Him to grant well-being to all of us, all Russian people. I ask Allah to grant peace to us and our families both in this world and the Hereafter.

In these holy days I pray to Almighty Allah, asking him to light up with joy faces of every man and woman and child; I ask our Creator to give us all peace and blessings, happiness and good health, luck and well-being! I wish everyone to earn His Blessing and Mercy. And may Almighty Allah bless you and be merciful to all those on the straight pass. May peace, mercy and blessings of Allah be upon you.